as in intruding
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion
it's rude to interrupt when someone is making an important point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of interrupting
This time, disruptions to shipping routes are interrupting those flows and that reduces the amount of money flowing back into financial markets, removing a key source of cash flows, the bank noted.
—
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
As the ceremony went on, his material focused on mocking things that undermine respect for the movies with bits about ads interrupting streaming movies, vertical video, and overly explanatory movie dialogue.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Wednesday will mark six weeks since Watson suffered the injury during a game in New York, interrupting his breakout season as a secondary ball-handler and shot creator for the Nuggets.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Kirsten Dunst and Emma Stone made a beeline for each other, interrupting their conversation to gleefully pose with an array of well-wishers.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026
In a corner of their enormous high-rise apartment, interrupting the deep jewel tones of the traditional decor, stands a pod that’s used mainly for virtual socializing, but also for other things.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
Bassong, Davis and company held the 2025 MLS semifinalists to a single goal, interrupting their run of seven straight strikes through two games.
—Pj Green
march 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
As the developers described the plan, residents began asking other questions, often interrupting.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
Young yells out, interrupting her own song with her glottal south London accent and adjusting the mic pack on her waist.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
As the ceremony went on, his material focused on mocking things that undermine respect for the movies with bits about ads interrupting streaming movies, vertical video, and overly explanatory movie dialogue.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Wednesday will mark six weeks since Watson suffered the injury during a game in New York, interrupting his breakout season as a secondary ball-handler and shot creator for the Nuggets.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Kirsten Dunst and Emma Stone made a beeline for each other, interrupting their conversation to gleefully pose with an array of well-wishers.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026
In a corner of their enormous high-rise apartment, interrupting the deep jewel tones of the traditional decor, stands a pod that’s used mainly for virtual socializing, but also for other things.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
Bassong, Davis and company held the 2025 MLS semifinalists to a single goal, interrupting their run of seven straight strikes through two games.
—Pj Green
march 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
As the developers described the plan, residents began asking other questions, often interrupting.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
Young yells out, interrupting her own song with her glottal south London accent and adjusting the mic pack on her waist.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrupting
Verb
-
This vireo actually is singing its song to woo a mate or deter another potential romantic partner from intruding on its territory.—
Sheryl DeVore,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
These types of claims are generally where a neighbor is intruding onto your property and causing damage without any consent to do so.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jamal Murray’s right shoulder was bothering him during a 1-for-14 outing Saturday.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Mass incarceration has led to a fast-growing bloc of citizens who either are legally barred from voting or have just stopped bothering.—
Kevin B. Smith,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Josh Giddey, Tre Jones and Jalen Smith each scored 15 points for the Bulls, with Giddey adding 13 assists.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
When adding spillover effects, such as supply-chain purchases and household spending, that number balloons to a nearly $13 billion contribution to Georgia’s GDP.—
Amy Wenk,
AJC.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dip the bottom of each cutting in rooting hormone and shake off any excess rooting powder or gel.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Rogers brought the conversation back to Crockett later in the episode, cutting in to clarify his earlier remarks.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Interrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrupting. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
